Automatic sound-reproducing- machine



W. E. BIRKET.

AUTOMATIC soum) REPRODUCING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 191].

1,320,035. Patented 0 28, 1919.

- I .E. i -3. v j i i 1 17 7 1195163,: 1170627281: V MM I [7 EJ717695 Jill Zia WA/M fly W.. E. BIRKET.

AUTOhM-FFG SOUNDI REPRODUC LNG. MACHINE. APPLICATION FILE-D. ARR-.2, I91].

1 ,320,0 35. Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 2.

W. E. BIRKET.

AUTOMATIC SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE.

Patented Oct. 28,1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 3.

APPLICATION FILED APR-2, I91].

W. E. BIRK'ET.

AUTOMATIC SOUND REPRODUCING MACHINE.

APPLICATION FILED APR. 2, 1911. 1,320,035. Patented Oct. 28,1919;

, 6 SHEETS-SHEET. 4.

rIIII/IIIIIIIIIIIII1111,11,IllllllIl/lllllllrllllllIn W. E. BIRKET.

AUTOMATIC SOUND REPRODUGLNG MAGHLNE.

APPLlCATlON FILED APR. 2, I911. 1,320,035. Patented Oct. 28,1919.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

W. E, BIRKET.

AUTOMATIC SOUND- REPRODUCING MACHINE.

6 SHEETS-SHEET 6.

" UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

WILLIAM E. BIBKET, OF PEORIA, ILLINOIS,

AUTOMATIC SOUND-REPRODUCING- MACHINE.

Application filed April 2, 1917. Serial No. 159,315.

To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, WILLIAM E. BIRKET, citizen of the United States, residing at Peoria, in the county of Peoria and State of Illinois, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Automatic Sound- Reproducing Machines, and do hereby declare that the following is a full, clear, and exact description of the invention, which will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains to make and use the same.

This invention pertains to automatic sound reproducing machines.

One of the objectsof the invention is to provide a machine of the selective type or one in which any record or a series may be reproduced, or in which. if desired, all of the records may be played automatically in sequence.

Another object is to furnish a talking machine provided with a plurality of disk records having a permanent position in use separated each from the other by a narrow space, there being received in each space a sound reproducing needle.

Another object is to provide a peculiarly arranged suspended needle-carrying member that can be projected between two disk records .for playing one of them, the usual so called reproducer lying outside the marginal edges of said disk records whereby the latter members may be arranged in close or compact order so that a large number can be placed in a cabinet of limited dimensions, said reproducer arranged in Contact with said needle-carrying member.

Another object 1s to provide a machine in which one or more disk records can be accommodated having a permanent position played with equal facility without requir.

ing that said disk be inverted.

Specification of Letters Patent.

' pension therefrom.

Patented Oct. 28, 1919.

Still another object is to provide mech- I anism. a sound reproducing machine whereby any one record among a number may be reproduced on one or both sides or in which, if desired, all the records in the machine can be successively.reproduced automatically ,on oneor both sides and without attention of any kind.

Another object is to furnish a talking machine wherein the reproducer may be so disposed that it will travel from one end to the other of a pile or stack of records automatically and which will automatically stop at a given record for reproducing the same, or, which in its travel, will reproduce all of the records.

Another and important object is that of providing an arm for carrying the reproducing needle which will extend between the disks and engage the groove of the desired understood that the desires and aims may be accomplished by the use of other structures the equivalent of those shown without departing from my inventive ideas.

Figure 1 is a plan of my improved talking machine.

Fig. 2 is an end elevation of a pawl and ratchet arrangement.

Fig. 3 is a side elevation of a winding drum and a portion of a reproducer for sus- Fig. 4 is a vertical section of the machine, taken on line w-w, Fig. 1, as seen in the direction of the arrow 6 in that figure.

Fig. 5 is a side elevation of partof the machine viewed in the direction ofthe arrow 0 in Fig. 1.

Fig. 6is a rear elevation of the machine cabinet, parts being broken away to show the inner structures.

' Fig. 7 is a plan of a part of a reproducer and certain mechanism coacting therewith for reproducing sound. r

Fig. 7* is a detail of a modification of parts sho n in Fig. 7..

Fig. 8 shows a part of the structure illustrated in Fig. 6, the same being produced on a much larger scale.

Fig. 9 shows, in perspective, certain parts for supporting certain needle carrfying rods.

Fig. 9 shows a modification o a needle carrying rod.

Fig. 10 is a plan of a portion of what is shown in Fig. 9.

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the relative positions of certain parts of the mechanism.

Fig. 12 is a side elevation of the parts shown in Figs. 9 and 10.

Fig. 13 is a cross section of a part of a disk record, showing the relative positions of two necdle-carrying-arms.

Fig. 1-1 is a side elevation of a part of a reproducer showing a needle-carrying-arm in cross section and its relation to said reproducer.

Fig. 15 shows a certain latch-mechanism for supporting the reproducer in one of its extreme positions of travel.

Fig. 16 is a diagrammatic representation of parts of the mechanism and certain electric circuits.

Fig. 16 is a detail of certain spaced conducting members, shown in Fig. 16, and their conductors; and,

Fig. 17 is a plan of a filler-ring adapted for holding a disk record.

The cabinet for containing the mechanism may be of any desired shape and dimensions, but the mechanism and quite a large number of disk records may be readily accommodated within a cabinet of the ordinary size and form as now generally produced.

It is preferably constructed with corner supports A and all of its sides are hinged to form the doors or closures B, B, B and B as clearly shown in Fig. 1. Also, it includes a lower compartment C for containing a motor and a compartment D above it for the mechanism, see Figs. 4 and 5, and a third compartment or chamber D acting as a sound box. Each of the disk records used is carried independently in a series of three flanged rollers as shown in Fig. 1. That is' to say, at E is a suitable upstanding yoke, for example, suitably mounted on the cabinet, and holds in' a vertical position a rod "F having a series of flanged rollers G strung upon it and spaced from one another.

H is a similar yoke spaced from the yoke E through which extends a shaft J rotated by a motor K of any suitable or desired type, preferably operated electrically, which mo tor is stationed in the lower compartment C referred to. This shaft is likewise provided with a series of rollers L fixed thereon and spaced from one another to correspond in position with the rollers G.

Opposite the two sets of rollers described is a third set of rollers M carried each in a bifurcated arm N, all of the arms being strung upon an upright rod 0 suitably supported on the cabinet and adapted to swing. A spring P, Fig. 1, is in control of each bifurcated arm N, and holds the roller corresponding thereto elastically in the direction of the rollers G, L.

Q, represents a series of disk records, each of which is held in one of each of the rollers G, L, M, as will now be understood, any one of them being independently inserted or removed as may be particularly evident in Fig. 1, wherein the broken lines aa indicate the direction of introduction or removal.

Th rollers G. L, are Stationary and upon opening the door B a disk record may be withdrawn and in so doing the movable spring-controlled roller M will yield to permit such withdrawal, the same being true as to the act of insertion, the roller following in behind it. By this simple means the record can be as easily removed or replaced as though it were slipped in upon a shelf. Furthermore, the whole surface of both sides of the disk, 216. both above and below, is free of any obstructions which is important to the end that certain desired objects can be accomplished as will appear.

The motor in its rotation serves to rotate all the disk records due to the rollers L which are affixed to the shaft J as explained.

The rollers G and M merely act as supports and rotate also, the springs P being of suffic-ient strength to maintain proper frictional engagement of the disk records with the driving rollers L.

R R represent two vertical rods supported on the bottom of the cabinet, for example, and supported at their upper ends in any suitable manner. They constitute guides for a reproducer S which is mounted on a vertically movable plat-form T, the said rods R extending through extensions U of said platform substantially as in Fig. 1.

V is a flexible tube extending from the reproducer for conducting the vibrations from the reproducer to the sound box D. The reproducer is adapted to rise and fall the entire height of the cabinet, or to the extent necessary at least, and the said tube V is of suflicient length and flexibility to admit of this extent of travel.

W is an upright guide member at one side of the platform T which includes on its face a continuous metal conductor 2 extending substantially the full height of the member. Adjacent to the conductor and spaced from it are two series of spaced contact members 3, 4:. Carried on the platform T is a contact spring 5 bearing against the contact strip 2 and' 6 and 7 are two other contact springs adapted to contact with the described spaced members 3, 4:, see Fig. 1.

8 is a second upright member lying substantially parallel to and spaced from the member W a distance suflieient to just inclose the platform T so that it will be guided between them, the member 8 causing the described springs 5, 6, 7 to maintain frictional contact with the parts 2, 3, 4 mentioned.

9 is a drum fixed on a horizontal shaft 10 suitably j ournaled in extensions 12, 13 respectively of the guides W, 8. One end of the shaft is furnished with a g ar 14, loose thereon, and a ratchet wheel 15. The former carries one or more spring pawls 16 to engage the teeth of said ratchet wheel and 17 is a crank secured to said shaft. 18, Fig. 5, is a gear rotatably mounted in a suitable manner upon an extension 19, for example, of the guide 8, which includes therewith a pinion 20 in mesh with the described gear 14. 21 is av support mounted in the guide 8 or some other suitable part upon which is rotatably mounted a pinion 22 to mesh with the gear 18, 23 being a crown gear, for ex ample, rotating with said pinion 22. 24 is a bracket secured on the guide 8, for ex ample, supporting a vertical shaft 25. 26 indicates a series of governor arms operatively engaging at one of their ends the shaft, and engaging at their other ends a plate 27 movable along said shaft. 28 is a pinion on the shaft 25' in mesh with the crown gear 23. v

29 is a solenoid supported on a suitably supported bracket 30, for example, and 31 is a pivotally mounted arm for frictionally en ga in the plate 27. 32 is an armature attacliec to said arm 31 and depending into said solenoid.

33 indicates two cords or wires secured at their ends to the roller 9 and attached at their other ends at 34 to the platform T carrying the reproducer S. The construction just described admits of the following operation:

The crank 17 upon being turned to the right will rotate the drum 9 to take up the cords 33 for elevating the reproducer to the height desired, the ratchet wheel 15 turning relatively to the gear 14 which, as previously stated, is loose on the shaft 10, the pawls passing over the teeth of said ratchet wheel in this direction of rotation. This permits the turning of the drum 9 without affecting the governing mechanism.

The reproducer descends of its own weight and is controlled in its descent by the governing mechanism described at which time the ratchet wheel 15 in rotating counterclockwise must rotate the gear 14 by means of the pawls 16, thus operating said governing mechanism to control the rate of descent but this will appear more fully later herein.

35 is an upright member for carrying a series of supports for certain sound reproducingrods, see Fig. 9. These supports are in this instance hingedly carried on said uprlght as shown in Fig. 9, but they may otherwise be carried since I do not confine myself to any particular method of so doing.

These said supports, see Fig. 9, each includes an arm 36 attached to the upright 35 by means of a hinge 37 so that it will have merely a horizontal movement. 38 is a second arm pivoted at 39 to the arm 36 so as to have vertical movement with respect thereto.

40 is any suitable form of spring attached to both members in such a way and so adapted that the said arm 38 is normally held elastically in its raised position being limited in its upward movement by a pin 41 striking a portion 42 secured to said arm 36 but other means may be employed for the latter purpose.

' 43 is what may be termed a player rod lying longitudinally of and upon the arm 38 within a rabbet 44, for convenience, and 45 are two spring portions soldered or otherwise attached to the rod 43, and secured to the said arm 38. v

46 is a metal plate hingedly attached to the rod and projecting in a substantially horizontal direction therefrom, that being its normal position. That is to say, it is not permitted to take a lower position, but by reason of being hinged it is permitted to lift as shown by broken lines in Fig. 13, as will be explained. The arm 43 is provided at one end with means for carrying a needle, it being evident that any form of needle may be readily accommodated.

The mechanism just described is adapted for use in playing the upper side of a disk record. In Fig. 9 there is represented a somewhat similar arrangement for playing the underside of a disk record. This C0111- prises an arm 47 correponding to 36. To one end of this arm, or that end opposite the pivot 39 of the other pair of arms 36, 38, is pivoted an arm 48, there being included a spring 49 corresponding to 40 whose purpose is to lift the opposite end of said arm 48. The under side of the latter carries a rod 50 corresponding to 43 and held in substantially the same way and is adapted at its end to carry a needle as in the first instance which needle in this case is set opposite the other. That is to say, the needles of both rods 43, 50 point in the general direction of as the one previously described, or any other means may be employed for the purpose. Furthermore, the rod 50 may lie upon the top of the member 48 and the rod 43 may-lie beneath the member 38 carrying it, being mere choice. This is stated in order to make it thoroughly understood that it. is not my purpose to confine myself necessarily to what is shown and described.

- As shown in Figs. 4 and 5, as also in Figs. 12 and 13, a record disk lies between two of the rods 43 and 50. As shown in'Fig. 1, the arms 36, 38 and +7., 48 are spaced some distance from the disk record and the rods l3.' 0 are of considerable length. They are of such a length in fact that they reach in between the said disk records to the proper position for playing. The disks may, therefore, lie quite close together, admitting of placing a very large number of them in a ca'binet, not necessarily larger than those in use at the present time.

The vertical movement of the said rods at their needle carrying ends need not be greater than substantially one eighth of an inch so that a very close relation of the disks may be maintained. The lateral movement of the needle end of the arm is suiticient to traverse the full record while its pivoted end has a necessarily smaller movement, being nearest the pivot.

The reproducer carries an extension such as the usual reproducing needle 52 or other suitable portion.

As shown in Figs. 1, 7, 10, and 14: this needle or its equivalent is adapted to rest upon one of the plates 46, 51 during the playing of a record. By a study of Fig. 10, which shows the relation of the parts in operation, it is observed that the needle 52 rests upon one of the plates 46 while the arms 36, 238 lie in the position shown in full lines in Fig. 1, in which position the needle end of the arm 43 overhangs the marginal edge of the disk record, while the broken lines in Fig. 10 correspond to the position shown in the broken line in Fig. 1. being in the latter figure substantially the limit of travel of the rod 43 toward the center of the disk. As the reproducer descends upon the plate 46 and rests thereon by means of the needle 52 the disk record being in rotation, the rod 48 as it travels toward the center of the disk moves the said plate t6 under said needle 52 until said rod having reached its limit of travel in the groove of the record has carried the plate to from beneath the needle whereupon the reproducer is then free to drop down to the next plate below which would be the plate 51. During this travel the needle 1n contact with the record is, of course, vibrated and the vibrations being carried along the rod to the plate i6 and thence to the needle 52, the sound being carried from the reproducer in the usual way through the tube V to the sound box D.

Fig. 7 shows a slightly modified form of needle carrying rod structure wherein the itself in the travel of the latter toward the center of the disk and may pass therefrom by dropping through said notch.

The springs 4:5 which carry the rod 43 are suflicient-ly flexible to permit the most delicate. vibrations to affect the rodso that they are properly conveyed from the record to the reproducer as perfectly, it has been found, as though the needle 52 of the latter rested directly upon the record. This particular manner of transmitting vibrations to the diaphragm of the reproducer through a member in addition to the usual reproducer needle I believe to be new.

The machine may be adapted by the proper setting of its roller G, L, M, to

carry any diameter of disk record, it being preferred to arrange it for the largest size now made.

In order to accommodate records of smaller diameters I provide a filler-ring X to enter between the rollers andillustrated in Fig. 17. It may have a flange Y struck up therefrom concentrically with its axis of rotation which will receive and center a disk of any smaller size and any means, not shown, may be used for holdin the disk in position thereon, if desired, it being understood that both sides of the disk are exposed for reproduction as with disks not so held. Since the rollers support the disks or the filler-rings at their edges the said disks are fully exposed at both surfaces so that the needle-carrying rods can move over them without interference from any supporting part for said disks.

In order to reproduce record disks of diflerent diameters I provide and have illustrated in Figs. 1, 6, 7 and 8 an upright member 53 having a series of horizontal slots 54 therein, through which the rear ends of the needle carrying rods 43, 50 extend.

Each of these slots is enlarged in one or more places as indicated by 54 in which may be fitted a plug 55. As shown in said Fig. 7, the plug lies at the end of the slot and limits the movement of the rod toward that position so that the needle carrying end thereof will always take up a position at the marginal edge of the disk record of the largest size, for example.

For a smaller disk the. other enlarged portion of the slot may receive the plug, however, as indicated in broken lines in the figure last mentioned which permits the location of the needle or stylus of the needle carrying rod at the marginal edge of said smaller disk.

The rod extends a sufiicient distance through the slot to permit the fingers of the operator to grasp it for adjusting it-to position as will be more fully described later herein.

The end of the slot opposite that having the plug may or may not be utilized to limit the movement of the rod toward the center of the disk record, said slot being of lifted by said needle and then fall back into their normal positions. A momentary making of the circuit through the motor due to the needle 52 engaging said plates will be of no moment although, if desired, the under sides of the plates may be covered with an insulating material to prevent such circuit closing. I

If the form in Fig. 7 is used it is required] that the notches 46' must all be in line in order to permit the needle 52 to pass through them as it is elevated or said needle 52 may be so mounted that it will move relatively to the reproducer and drag over the rods as the reproducer moves upward but have proper rigid relation for reproducing. That is to say, the needle would operate substantially in the same way as the hinged plate 46 but in the opposite direction.

In Fig. 15 I have shown a supporting catch for said reproducer. This may consist, for example, of a thin flatspring 56 mounted at one end upon a bracket 57 projecting from some part of the structure, for example the rear side of the upright member 53, the free end of the spring being out wardly bent so as to lie in the path of the reproducer in its vertical movement, saidfree end being so formed as to be forced out of said path as the reproducer is raised, and which upon regaining its normal position will lie beneath the reproducer and receive and sustain it in a stationary position ready for release.

58 is a rock shaft bearing an arm 59 connected in any suitable manner with said spring 56. The other end of the shaft has an arm 60 to which is connected a push-rod 61, whose end may extend through the upright member 53v for convenience. It will be observed by a study of said Fig. 15 by pushing the rod 61 inwardly or in the direction of the reproducer that the spring 56 will be withdrawn from beneath the latter so that it will be free to descend.

My machine is adapted'to operate automatically after the reproducer is releasd and that this may be done I have provided mechanisni which is merely oneform by which the desired results may be accomplished, the use of the electric current being the preferred way.

The motor K is, therefore, preferably an electric motor whose terminals may be connected to an electric light socket, not shown, by means of the cord 62, Fig.4, for example.

The motor in operation, as has been stated,

rotates all of the disk records, and the current besides passing through the motor is carried to other parts of the apparatus, as has been clearly indicated in the diagram in Fig. 16.

- A conductor 63 extends from one of the field coils of the motor to the metal conducting strip 2, Fig. 4. Also in that figure certaln of the spaced conducting members 3, 4

are electrically connected by a conductor 64 to one of the brushes 65 of the motor. The other series of these conducting members 3, 4 is connected by a conductor 66 with the other brush 67. One end of the coil of the solenoid 29 is connected to the remaining field of the motor.

The members 3, 4 are insulated from one another by spacing them, for example, and two opposite one are connected separately diagonally across to another pair as shown in Fig. 16*. That is to say, each of them in the series 3, is connected to one next above or below it in the series 4 while those in series 4 are connected across in the same way to those of series 3. Thus one half of each series is connected in one circuit while the other half forms part of another circuit. This has not been shown in the other figures in order that those figures'will not be rendered difficult to read. This arrangement is provided in order that the flow of current in the motor will be reversed by reversing the flow through the armature, for example, the purpose of which will appear herein.

69, and 71 are three conducting strips mounted upon the upright members 53 substantially as shown in Fig. 7, said strips being shown in broken lines in Fig. 8, in elevation Thestrip 69 is connected with one or more convolutions of the solenoid by a conductor 69'. The strip 70 is also connected to one or more convolutions of said coil by a conductor 70, and the strip 71 is connected in the same way to said coil by a conductor 71. That is to say, all of these conductors are taken out of the coil at several places for a purpose to appear later herein.

The conductor springs 5, 6 mounted on the platform T are electrically connected by any suitable conductor such as 72 in Fig. 16, and the contact spring 7 is connected electrically with the metal of the reproducer through a conductor 73.

74. 75 and 76 represent a series of switch- 75 and 76 are to contact, the latter not being visible to the operator. Each of said last named arms is electrically connected with one of the needle carrying rods 43, 50 through a spring conductor 82 lying permanently upon its respective rod, said spring conductor being suitably connected to or around the rods 77 which carry said arms 74, 75, 76.

In Figs. 10 and 14 there is indicated a spring 85, one end of which is attached to the reproducer. It is bent downward at its free end and thence may be slightly recurved as shown in said Fig. 14, said free end adapted to have contact with the plates 46, 51 of the needle carrying rods 43, 50 as the reproducer descends, the purpose of which will also appear, or it may engage the rod 43. The needle carrying rods are insulated from one another, being mounted in such a way as to make this possible.

The full operation is as follows:

Assume that all of the needle carrying arms are lying in the outer position or at the outer margins of the disk records. By pushing inward the push-rod 61 to release the reproducer which, it is'assumed, is suspended above the position of the topmost record, upon being released the reproducer will descend and will be controlled in its fall, of course, by the governor mechanism. As it approaches the upper most plate 46 of the needle carrying rod 43 the spring 85 depending from said reproducer which lies in advance of the needle 52 will first meet said plate 46 whereupon the circuit will be closed through the motor, the flow of the current being as shown in Fig. 16 and described as follows:

The current flows in the direction of the dart into the field of the motor K, then through the conductor 63 to the conducting strip 2, the contact spring 5, conductor 72, the contact plates 3 with which the spring is in engagement, the balance of the plates 3, 4 in that circuit, conductor 64, brush 65, the armature, the brush 67, conductor 66, conducting plates 3 and 4, contact spring 7, conductor 73, reproducer S, the spring 85, spring conductor 82, switch-arm 74, conducting strip 69, conductor 69', solenoidcoil 29, conductor 68 through the remaining field of the motor and back to the line. This places the motor in operation which by the time the needle 52 of the reproducer meets the plate 46 is in full rotation and the spring at this time may slip off of said plate 46 or it may remain upon it until the said plate has swung suiiiciently in the travel of the needle carrying member to permit it to slip therefrom. That is to say, said spring may be formed so as to do one thing or the other as may be the wish.

The Weight of the reproducer through the needle 52 carries the needle carrying rod downward against the lifting action of the spring 40 to place its needle upon the record. The needle 52 now remains upon the plate during the entire playing of the record, the motor continuing in operation to rotate the latter. The needle carrying arm is gradually swung until its needle reaches the inner terminus of the groove of the record. At the termination of this travel the needle 52 passes off the end of the plate 46 as the latter moves from beneath it. The reproducer then continues its descent, the spring 85 contacting with the next plate 51 below, thus reestablishing the motor circuit to reproduce the record corresponding to the said plate 51, the described action being repeated throughout the entire stack of records. Each needle carrying rod after the weight of the reproducer is removed from it is automatically lifted by the spring 40 so that its needle will be removed from the record and each rod 50 is depressed by its spring 49.

Each time the circuit is closed by said spring 85 the current, of course, must pass through the solenoid and this controls the speed of rotation of the governor since the armature 32 is drawn down to carry the arm 31 into frictional engagement with the plate 27 of said governor. This controls the governor, and, in addition, depending upon which of the arms 74, 75, 76 is conducting the current through said solenoid will depend the speed of rotation of the motor in that the solenoid besides controlling the governor is also a resistance to the flow of the current. The conducting strip 69 being connected to but a portion of the solenoid coil will permit the motor to rotate faster than were the strip 70 connected with the coil which, as shown by the drawing, would include a greater length of wire in the said coil and hence there would be greater resistance in the circuit, this also being true to a still greater degree if the circuit is through the conducting strip 71. By such an arrangement, or its equivalent, a record may be played at the speed for which it is intended to rotate and other speeds can be obtained by additional resistance. Any record may be set for its own proper rota- The direction of rotation of the motor will be automatically reversed depending upon whether the upper or lower side of the record is to be reproduced, As each succeeding side is played the motor reverses, rotating first in one direction and then in the other. This reversal is accomplished by the series of contact members or plates 3, 4.

' Referring to Fig. 16 the spring contact member 6 is resting on one of the contact plates 3. The current will, therefore, flow up the contact strip 2 and back through the conductor 64:. This obtains when the motor may be rotating in a direction for example, to turn the disks so that the upper side of one of them may be played. As the repro- 'ducer drops to its next position the spring contact members 6 and 7 drop to the next pair of contact plates 3, 4 so that the current after passing up the said conducting strip 2 now passes through the conductor 66,

brush 67 the armature, brush 65, conductor 64, contact plates 3, 4, contact spring 7, as before through the conductor 73. It is thus seen that the current flows now in an opposite direction giving the desired reversal.

It is evident that if the records to be played are all upon the upper sides or all upon the lower sides of the disks the motor would be required to operate in but one direction. The reversal of the motor is necessary only when, after having reproduced one side of a disk, the other side is to be reproduced. This is because of the fact that in one direction of rotation the groove in the upper side, for example, will properly carry the needle inward. But the same direction of rotation for the lower side would be the wrong direction for the groove at that side and the needle would not be carried inward and, therefore, the direction of rotation must be reversed. The introduction of the reversing feature provides for the reproduction of any double record produced by manufacturers at the present. That is to say, no specially made record is necessary.

The arm 48 having the needle carrying rod 50 is held elevated at its rear end by the spring 49 so as to normally hold the needle out of engagement. When the weight of the reproducer rests upon the plate 51 the playing needle will be moved upward upon the record since the pivotof said arm is at its forward end for that nearest the record and as before in following the groove said plate 51 will eventually be moved out from under the needle 52. a

Fig. 11 is a diagrammatic representation of the plates 46, 51 in elevation, the dotted line indicating the line of travel of the reproducer needle 52. The positions of' the plates at the right of this line indicate the positions of sald plates after the records corresponding thereto have been played. The two' at the left indicate the starting position of the plates, these two separate positions being shown in dotted lines and in full lines respectively in Fig. 10.' It is evident that if all of the plates were at the left of the line in Fig. 11 the descending reproducer would engage each plate in succession and cause the playing of each succeeding record throughout the entire series and one by one the plates would pass overv to the right of the dotted line as viewed in said Fig. 11 until all were at that side, and all of the records would have been played. The needle of each needle-carrying rod will then be at the inner terminus but above the record groove so that were the reproducer to be manually raised to its highest position and permitted to fall, it would travel to the bottom of the cabinet without having had contact with any of the plates 16, 51. Now, if this happens to be the relation of the parts and it is desired to play any certain record the door B is opened and the needle carrying rod corresponding to the desired record to be played is moved from the position shown in broken lines in Fig. 1 to the position shown in full lines in that figure by merely swinging the rod to the left against the plug 55, Fig. 8. This will carry the plate 16, 51 corresponding thereto to a position where the descent of the reproducer would engage it, the motor being set in operation in the proper direction.

Of extreme importance is the fact that the disk records all retain a permanent position relatively and can be set very close together as has been stated herein, there being merely space enough between them to permit the needle arms to rise and fall to permit their needles to engage and leave the records. Also, that any one record may be withdrawn and inserted merely by opening the door B of the cabinet, this change being permitted by the use of the spring held member M and, as before stated, any sized record smaller than the largest size, ma be accommodated by the use of the filler-rlng X. If a record of the largest size is in place theplug 55 is placed as shown in Fig. 8 in the outermost enlargement 54 of the slot 54 so that the rod can swing to the farthest outward limit.

If a smaller record is to take its place the plug is removed to the second enlargen'ient or at least an enlargement that will cause the needle arm to take its proper position at the margin. If there are several sizes of records the slot may, of course, have other enlargements at proper places to take the plug.

The Whole purpose ofthe plugs is that the needle can be properly stationed to engage the outer marginal groove of a record of any size whether the record is a so called 10 inch or 12 inch or other diameter. The positions of the plugs are permanent long as the records retain their positions. It a larger or smaller record replaces any one in the stack of records the plug corresponding to the position where the change is made will, of course, be changed to correspond with the size of recordto be accommodated.

Opposite each slot 54 may be placed the title of the record so that the person may readily elect the needle rod to be adjusted. The plugs 55 are thus employed to limit the outward movement of the rods 43, 50 so that the reproducing needle when depressed will rest upon the first groove of the record and thus be fed in but as the position of this groove varies somewhat in different records I furnish the disk, Fig. 1, with a spirally cut groove 86 extending from its extreme outer edge across the usually smooth margin where it terminates in the first groove of the record, or the record-groove. This groove 86 is preferably a comparatively slow one or at least one that will require, perhaps, a full rotation of the disk before carrying the needle into the record-groove. Otherwise if too abrupt the speed of rotation might be such as to jerk the needle when meeting it. By using such a marginal groove the needle may drop down anywhere on the margin and be properly picked up. This insures always that the needle will start reproduc-' ing at once and without attention. However, the lugs 55 may be so adapted that each need e rod may always be set in exact position over the first record groove if desired.

In addition to the groove 86 I may provide a spirally cut groove 87 in the inner smooth portion of the record inward from the end or terminus of the record-groove and extending out of it. This groove results in quickly moving the needle away from the record groove so that the plate 4.6, 51 will be quickly withdrawn from beneath the reproducer needle or extension 52 to terminate the action of the machine. Besides being well adapted for my type of machine a disk record provided with the grooves 86, 87 can be used on any ordinary machine where the reproducer is set by hand. That is to say, the needle may be set anywhere on the margin of the disk and the groove 86 especially if it runs entirely around the margin prevents said needle from slipping oi? the record as SOIHGtlIIlGS happens, and will also guide it into the record-groove after one or two revolutions.

Again, in using an automatic stop such as is now commonly used where it is extremely important that said stop be set at an exact point so as not to interrupt the playing of a record, the stop when using the groove 87 may be set anywhere outside the groove and the arm carrying the reproducer will meet it stopping the machine when the needle is well away from the end of the record groove.

It is quite obvious that many changes may be made in the structures and arrangements of the parts without departing from the spirit and intent of the invention and while the machine may be operated by mechanical power it is preferable to employ power operated electrically since it results in simplifying structures and o 'ierations especially as regards the reversal of the direction of rotation of the disks.

The playing needles carried by the rods 45, 50 may be of the changeable type or may be pern'ianent or semi-pern1anent and may be placed in position in the rods by opening the door 13. Since the cabinet may be opened at all four sides all parts of the mechanism may be readily reached for adjustment or repairs and there is nothing about the appearance of the machine that is different from that of the ordinary cabinet or that is disfiguring.

The straight form of needle rod shown in the several figures, except Fig. 9, will accommodate any of the so called lateral cut grooves where the indentations are in the side of the groove but the vertical cut or hill and dale, so called, in which the indentations are in the bottom of said groove the form in Fig. 9 is used, the needle carrying rod being bent at right angles in either direction according to whether it is adapted to the upper or lower side of the record. Thus a record having any typecf groove can be played.

I claim:

1. The combination with a disk record. of a series of independently mounted supports spaced around the marginal edge thereof, one of them adapted to frictionally engage and rotate the same.

2. The combination with a disk record, of a series of independently mounted rotat ing supports spaced around and engaging the marginal edge thereof. one of them frictionally engaging and rotating the same.

3. The combination with a disk record, of a series of independently mounted rotating supports spaced around and engaging the marginal edge thereof and retaining the same in its operative position, one of them frictionally engaging and adapted to rotate said disk, and one of said supports also mounted to yield with respect to the disk for permitting the removal and replacement of the same.

4. The combination of a series of disk records lying substantially parallel to one another with their centers substantially in line and a series of supports engaging the marginal edges of each, one of the supports of the series adapted for rotating the same.

5. The combination of a series of substantially fiat disk records, each being separated from its neighbor by a narrow space, anindependent support for each at its marginal edge comprising a series of spaced members, one having elastic engagement with said marginal edge.

'6. The combination of a series of disk records spaced one above the other and in use having a permanent position, and a series of members engaging the marginal edge of each, one of said members havingelastic engagement with its disk adapted to permit tially equi-distant from a common .point forreceiving a disk record between and to be held by them, one of said parts being elastically heldv against said disk record, and adapted to yield to permitthe insertion or removal of the disk.

9. In a sound reproducing machine, in combination, a plurality of rotatable spaced supporting parts, spaced substantially. equidistant from a common point, and a disk "record adapted to enter between them, one

of said parts being elastically held against said disk record, one of said parts also adapted for imparting rotation to said diskrecord;

10. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record and a reproducer, of a support, a rod of a single part mounted thereon interposed between said record and the reproducer and provided with a stylus to engage the former, the diaphragm of said reproducer adapted to operatively engage said rod, the latter adapted to swing laterally with respect to its support. I

11. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record and a reproducer, of a support, a single rod pivotally mounted on the support provided with a reproducing needle for engaging the record, and adapted to swing on its pivot parallel to theplane of the record, the diaphragm of saidreproducer operatively engaging said rod.

12. In a sound reproducing machine, the

combination with a sound record and a reproducer, of a single rod pivotally mounted, provided with a reproducing needle to en- 'gage the record, and adapted to swing laterally 'onits mounting substantially parallel to the plane of that portion of the surface of the said record over which the needle travels, the diaphragm of the reproducer operatively engaging the said rod.

13. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a. disk record and a reproducer spaced outward from the edge thereof, of a rod lying substantially parallel to the surface of the disk record and provided 'With a reproducing needle to engage the record, and a pivotally mounted support for said rod adapted to swing laterally in its mounting parallel to theplane of the disk, the diaphragm 'of the reproducer operatively engaging said rod.

14. In a sound reproducing machine, the

combination with a sound record and a reproducer, of a single part rod including a reproducing needle for engaging the record, a pivotal mounting for said rod for permitting it to swing laterally on its pivot parallel to the face of the record, the reproducer operatively engaging the rod and adapted at one of the limits of movement of the latter to automatically disengage therefrom.

15. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record and a reproducer, of a single rod including a reproducing needle, a support upon which the rod is pivotallymounted, the support and pivot point being fixed in position, the rod adapted to swing laterally on its pivot paral- -lel to the face of the record, the reproducer operatively engaging the rod and being fixed in position with respect to the body of the machine during the period of reproduction of sound.

1'6. Ina sound reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record and a reproducer, of a single rod including a needle or stylus interposed between the record and said reproducer, a support fixed permanently in position with respect to the positions of the two last mentioned portions, the rod being pivotally related to said support and adapted toswing in a lateral direction, the reproducer adapted to rest thereon during the travel of the needle or stylus upon the record.

17. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a record and a reproducer, a single part rod pivotally mounted adapted to swing parallel to the face of the record including a reproducing needle, the pivotal support for said rod lying adjacent the reproducer and having a fixed position on the machine, and a part operatively engaging the diaphragm of the reproducer adapted to rest upon the rod and also adapted to pass Ofi the same in the travel of the rod when approaching one of its limits of movement.

18. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a record and areproducer, a single rod pivotally mounted adapted to swing laterally including a reproducing needle, the pivotal support for said rod lying nearestto the reproducer and having a permanently fixed position on the machine, and a part operatively engaging the diaphragm of the reproducer and resting upon said rod, the latter passing from beneath the part during its lateral movement as its needle appreaches the end of its travel in reproducing said record.

19. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a disk record having a record-groove ineach side, a pair of separate independent rods, one at each side of the record, each including a reproducing needle, a support fixed permanently in position on the machine, the rods adapted to swing in a lateral direction therein, and a reproducer having a path of travel, said rods lying in said path, the reproducer in its travel adapted to successively engage the rods and to carry the needle of each upon its respective record-groove.

20. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a disk record having a record-groove in each side, a separate independent rod at each side of the disk, each including a reproducing needle for engaging a groove of said disk record, a support fixed permanently in position for pivotally carrying the rods, and a reproducer adapted to have a path of travel, the said rods lying in said path, said reproducer in its travel adapted to successively engage the rods, the rods adapted for a lateral swinging movement and to pass from beneath the reproducer at the end of their travel, said reproducer adapted in moving upon the rods to carry their needles into their respective grooves.

21. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a sound record having a record-groove on each side, a single rod at each side of the record carrying a needle or stylus to engage its respective groove, a support permanently fixed in position on the machine With which each rod is pivotally related, and on which each is adapted to swing laterally across said record, and a reproducer adapted to opcratively engage either of said rods.

22. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a disk-record having a record-groove in each side, a separate independent rod at each side of the disk, each including a. reproducing needle for engagin a groove of said disk record, a support fixed permanently in position for pivotally carrying the rods, a reproducer adapted to have a path of travel, the said rods lying in said path, said reproducer in its travel adapted to successively engage the rods, the rods adapted for a lateral swinging movement and to pass from beneath the reproducer at the end of their travel, said reproducer adapted in moving upon the rods to carry their needles into their respective grooves, and means to lift the rods after they pass from beneath said reproducer.

23. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record-disk having a record-groove in each side, the starting end of each groove being nearest the outer margin of the record-disk, of means on which the record-disk is mounted for rotation, reproducing mechanism, and means to reverse the direction of rotation of said sound record disk.

24. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a sound record-disk having a record groove in each side, the starting end of each groove being at the outer marginal. portion of said disk, of reproducing mechanism to engage in either groove, and means for reversing the direction of rotation of the said sound record.

25. A sound reproducing machine including in combination a record-disk having a record groove in each side, the starting end of each groove being at the outer marginal portion of the disk, means on which the record-disk is mounted for rotation, reproducing mechanism including a rod at each side of the disk and each having a needle to separately engage the grooves, a permanently fixed support upon which the rods are pivot-ally mounted to swing laterally, each rod adapted to travel in the same direction over the disk in its sound repro* ducing action.

26. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a disk record having a record groove on each side, a pair of separate independent members each including a reproducing needle for its respective record-groove, and a single reproducer including an. extension from its diaphragm adapted cooperatively and automatically engage each of said members in succession and carry the needle thereof upon its respective record-groove, and means for chang ing the direction of rotation of said record.

27. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a disk record having a record-groove in each of its two faces, a pair of separate independent members for the disk, each including a reproducing needle for one of said grooves, a reprodueer including an extension from its diar phragm adapted to move from one of said members to the other and separately engaging each in said travel, and means for changing the direction of rotation of the said disk record during the travel of the reproducer from one member to the other.

28. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a sound record having a record-groove on each of two of its surfaces, a separate member for each including a reproducing needle, a-reproducer adapted for travel from one of the members to the other and including an extension of its diaphragm to engage the same, and means to automaticallychange the direction of rotation of the said record after the said needle leaves one of the members and before it reaches the other.

29. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a member having a record produced on each of itstwo opposite sides, a separate member for each side including a reproducing needle, a reproducer adapted for travel from one to the other of the last named members including an extension from its diaphragm adapted to separately contact with them, a motor for rotating the record included in an electric circuit of which either of the members is selectively a part, said circuit including connections for reversing the motor, and a circuit-completing contact-part to move in advance of the reproducer during the interval of the movement of its extension from one member to the other whereby to close the circuit for starting the motor in advance of the contact of the extension of said diaphragm with the other member.

30. The combination with a disk record and a reproducer, of a rod mounted to swing about an axis disposed perpendicularly to the plane of the disk record and having a reproducing needle to engage said disk record and adapted to swing in a lateral direction parallel to the face of the record, means to normally and elastically hold the reproducing needle of said rod free of the record, the weight of the reproducer adapted to be placed upon said rod for'moving its reproducing needle into operative engagement with said disk record.

31. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a series of spaced disk records having their centers substantially in line with one another, a reproducer adapted to move by gravity in a path parallel to the line described by said centers, a series of rods arranged in a line parallel to the path of the reproducer and each including a reproducing needle each for engaging in one of the record grooves, a support fixed in a permanent position, all the rods being pivotally mounted thereon and all adapted to swing on axes arranged parallel to the said path of travel of the reproducer, all of the rods adapted to be separately moved into the path of the reproducer, and means to guide the latter in its descent.

32. The combination with a substantially flat disk record and a reproducer, of a rod provided with a reproducing needle to engage the said disk record, a support fixed permanently in position, a part pivotally mounted thereon and adapted toswing parallel to the plane of the disk record, the pivot of said part lying adjacent the reproducer, an arm pivoted on the part, a rod carried by the arm adapted to move perpendicularly to the plane of the said disk record, means to normally and elastically maintain the needle free of the record, a lateral extension on the rod, a part extending from the diaphragm of the reproducer adapted to engage upon the extension and pass off the same by gravity when the rod reaches its limit of movement of reproduction of sound, the weight of said reproducer upon said extension adapted to carrythe reproducing needle upon the record.

33. The combination with a series of disk records spaced from one another and having permanent position in use, a rcproducer spaced outward from the said series of records includingan extension of its diaphragm. and adapted for movement in a line substantially parallel to the axis of rotation of the said records, a pair of rods extending into each space between each two adjacent records, each rod having a reproducing needle, an independent arm for carrying each rod, a support fixed permanently in position, all of the arms being pivotally mounted relatively to said support and adapted to swing in planes parallel to the plane of the records, each arm being adapted for movement in a direction perpendicular to the planes of the records, a spring to elastically hold each reproducing needle normally free of its record, the rods near the pivots of the supports adapted to lie in the path of movement of the extension of said reproducer and adapted when the latter rests upon it to hold the needle upon the record, the travel of the needle across the record carrying the extension of the rod from beneath the extension of the reproducer, the latter adapted to automatically move by gravity toward and engage and rest upon the next rod-extension lying in its path.

The combination of a disk record having a record groove on each of its surfaces, a reproducer, including an extension from its diaphragm adapted to have a path of travel in a direction substantially perpendicular to the plane of the record, avrod at each side of the disk record including a reproducing necdle, a separate support for each rod pi votally mounted and adapted for a swinging movement parallel to the plane of said disk record, each rod adapted for movement in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the disk record, means to hold the needles of the rods normally and elastically free of the latter, the needles adapted to have opposite directions of movement relatively in engaging or leaving the record, the weight of the reproducer adapted to rest upon one of the rods and to move its needle upon the disk, the rod adapted at the end of the playing of the record to pass from beneath the reproducer, the latter by gravity moving to and upon the other of the rods and carry the needle thereof upon the record.

35. The combination of a series of records spaced one above the other, a series of rods each adapted to lie opposite one of the surfaces of each record, a separate carrier for each rod, all of them being pivotally mounted, their pivots being substantially in line with one another, the line of pivots lying perpendicular to the planes ofthe disks,

each support including an arm adapted for movement in a' plane perpendicular to the plane of the disk record, each rod having a lateral extension adjacent the pivot of the support on which it is carried, a reproducer adapted to have a line of travel parallel to the line of the pivots of the supports, and including an extension from its diaphragm adapted to pass to and bear upon the rods in successive order, each rod adapted in its moven'ient across the record to pass from be neath and release the extension, the reproducer then automatically moving toward and upon the next rod that may lie in its path.

36. A sound reproducing machine including in its construction a support fixed permanently in position. a series of independent player rods pivotally related thereto, their pivots lying substantially in line with one another, said rods adapted to swingin parallel planes, at reproducer or sound box adapted for a path of travel parallel to the line of pivots, and in its travel adapted to engage the rods in successive order.

37. In combination with a seriesof sound records, of a series of independent needle-' *arrying player-rods, each adapted for engaging in a record groove, a support fixed permanently in position and having the rods pivota-lly related thereto and all of them adapted to swing in planes parallel to the planes of th records, a reproducer or sound box, means to guide the same in a path of travel substantially parallel to the line'of pivots of the rods, said path being spaced outward from the rods in one of the positions thereof, said rods adapted to be selectively moved into said path, means to elastically hold each rod free of its record, the said reproducer adapted in its travel to engage a rod and move the needle thereof upon its respective record and there maintain it during the entire period of reproduction, the rod in its movement at the end of such period adapted to .pass from beneath and release the reproducer. I

38. A sound reproducingmachine inc-ludcombination with a series of sound records ing in its construction a support fixed permanently in position on the machine, a series of player rods pivoted thereon adapted to swing independently of one another in parallel planes, their pivot points being substantially in line with one another, a traveling reprmlucer or sound box having a path of travel parallel to the line 'of'ipivots, the rods adapted to be selectively moved into the path of travel of the said reproducer and engaged by the same.

39. In combination, a series of pivotally mounted player rods adapted to swing in substantially parallel planes, a reproducer or sound box, means to carry the same in a line parallel to the axes of movement of the rods and in position whereby said. reproducer will be guided past said series of rods, the latter adapted to 'be selectively moved into said path of travel of said repr-oducer.

40. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a' series of records and a separate player rod having a needle for engaging the record groove of each, a support on which the rods are pivotally mounted, their pivots lying perpendicular to the plane of the records, and a reproducer adapted to have a traveling. movement parallel to the axes of the pivots and to successfully engage each of the said rods in its travel whereby the disk records may 'be played automatically and successively in the travel of said reproducer, and means to guide the latter in its travel.

41. In a sound reproducing machine, the

separate means for engaging the recordgroove of each, a support, a part including an arm to carry each said means pivoted on the support, the axis of movement of the part being perpendicular to the planes of the records, the part adapted to swing parallel to the said planes, a reprodueer adapted to travel and in its travel adapted to engage each of the latter in successive order, each said means adapted after a record has been reproduced to release the reproducer there from, the latter automatically moving to the 42. The combination with a series of records, a separate means for engaging the groove of each, the same being mounted separately on pivots axially in line with one another, a reproducer including an extension adapted to travel in a line substantially parallel to the line of the pivots and also adapted in its travel to engagein successive order each said means, the rotation of the records in carrying said means across their faces automatically moving the same from beneath the reproducer at the end of the reproducing period.

43. In combination, a series of sound records, a series of player rods each including a needle adapted to separately and independently engage the record-groove of one of said records, a reproducer having a vertical path of travel past said series of rods and adapted to descend by gravity, means to guide the repmducer to its path, and a governor in control of the descent of said reproducer.

44. The combination with a series of disk records, separate means at each record to engage in its record-groove, each said means being mounted upon a separate independent pivotal support and adapted to swing parallel to the :plane ofthe record, all of thepivots of the supports being substantially axially in line, a reproducer, means to guide the same in a line parallel to the line of the pivots and adapted to engage any one of th said means in one of the positions thereof, and adapted to be automatically released when said means reaches another of its positions, the reproducer adapted in its travel to move toward and rest upon or pass by said means.

45. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a series of sound records, and a reproducer, adapted to have a straight path of travel, of means to guide said reproducer in its travel, a series of rods each including a needle adapted to engage the groove of a record and each said rod adapted when its needle is in the starting end of the groove to lie in the path of said reproducer and in its position beyond the other end of the groove lying outside said path of travel, all said rods arranged to be selectively moved into said path of travel.

&6. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a series of sound records, a separate rod for each having a reproducing needle to engage the record groove, all of said rods being pivotally mounted and adapted to have movement parallel to the face of the record, the points of support of all of them being axially in line, a'reproducer including an extension from its diaphragm adapted to travel in a path substantially parallel to the line of pivotal mountings of the rods and adapted to engage the said rods, means to carry the reproducer to one extreme of its travel, said reproducer adapted by gravity to move to the other end of its travel, and means for governing the speed of its gravity movement.

47. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a series of sound records, a rod including a reproducing needle for each record, each rod being pivotally mounted, a reproducer including an extension from its diaphragm adapted to have a path of travel in a vertical line and to move in one of its directions by the force of gravity, each of the said rods in one of its positions lying in the path of movement of and receiving the extension thereon, means to elevate the, re-

producer, a governor, and gearing operatively engaging the governor and adapted to control the descent of said reproducer.

48. The combination in a machine for reproducing sound from a series of sound records, including a motor for rotating the records and asound box or reproducer, of a manually controlled variable resistance included in circuit with a source of electric energy, a player rod forming part of said circuit, said sound box or reproducer being also part of said circuit and adapted to move automatically into contact with and close the circuit through said player rod for causing the motor to be set 1n operation automatically, the adjustment of the said variable resistance adapted to govern the speed Wit-h which the motor rotates.

49. The combination in a machine for reproducing sound from a series of sound records, including a motor for rotating the records and a sound box or reproducer, of a manually controlled variable resistance included in circuit with a source of electric energy, a layer rod for each record each of which is also adapted to be included in said circuit together with said sound box or reproducer and with which the latter is adapted to separately contact for causing the motor to be set in operation, the said variable resistance adapted by its adjustment for governing the speed with which the motor rotates.

50. The combination in a machine for reproducing sound including a series of sound records, a motor for rotating them, and a sound box or reproducer, of a series of player rods each to engage a record and each included in circuit with a source of electric energy, a manually controlled resistance in said circuit connected electrically with each player rod, the reproducer being included in the circuit and adapted to have a path of travel past the said player rods whereby to separately engage them and adapted by contact With any one of them to cause the rotation of the motor and through said resistance govern the speed with which the motor rotates.

51. A sound reproducing machine including a disk record having a record-groove at each side both having their starting ends in the same relative positions on said record, and both extending in the same direction each with respect to the surface upon which it is produced, a separate and independent mechanism for engaging each groove, a reproducer adapted to separately engage the mechanisms, a motor for rotating the record,

and means to cause reversal of the direction of rotation of the disk-record.

52. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination of a series of sound records, a reproducer, an electrically operated recorddriving motor, the reproducer being a part of the motor circuit and adapted to have a path of travel, a contact part corresponding to each record to-be reproduced with which the reproducer is adapted to be brought into electrical engagement in its travel and by which said contact is brought into the circuit, a separate switch-arm with which each said part is electrically connected, each said switch arm being also adapted to be placed in the motor circuit, a series of terminals including and representing varying resistances brought selectively into the motor circuit by said switch-arm.

53. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination'with a series of sound records, a reproducer mechanism, part of which is adapted for a vertical line of travel outside the line of said records, and governor mechanism including a solenoid for controlling the descent of said reproducer mechanism,

of an electric motor comprised in an electric circuit with the solenoid and said reproducer mechanism, a separate contact part corresponding to each record lying in the path of the repro'ducer mechanism, a. series of conduits, a switch for electrically connecting each contact part with any one ofthe conduits of said series, and a resistance connected with each conduit, the several resistances diliering from one another.

54. In an automatic sound reproducing machine, the combination of a disk record having a record groove on each surface, a player rod for each record groove, a traveling reproducer to separately engage the rods, an electric motor, the reproducer and the motor being included in an electric circuit, a pair of contact members and a single contact arranged to travel with the reproducer, said single contact being permanently connected with the motor circuit, and two series of contact plates separately connected in said circuit at opposite sides of the motor, one of the members of the described pair of contact members being elastically connected with the described single one, the other being electrically connected with the reproducer, the described two series of plates being disposed so that the members of the described pair of contact members will alternately and simultaneously engage opposite,

ones thereof inthe travel of said reproducer for alternately reversing the direction of flow of the current through said motor.

55. A sound reproducing machine including a disk record having a recordgroove in each side, each extending in the same direction with respect to the side on which it is produced, a separate player-rod including a needle adapted to separately engage the grooves, a reproducer to engage the playerrods separately, means to rotate the record,

substantially in line, a series of player-rods pivotall y mounted adapted to swing parallel to the planes of the records, the axes of the pivots being substantially in line, a reproducer or sound box arranged for a path of travel adjacent the line of pivots and parallel thereto and having a stylus adapted to separately engage the rods in its travel, each of said rods having an extension at its end remote from the record engaging end, and a part provided with the designations of the records placed near the extensions of the player rods.

57. In a talking machine, in combination, a series of disk records having their centers substantially in line, a series of player-rods pivotally mounted adapted to swing parallel to the planes of the records, the axes of the pivots being substantially in line, a repr0- ducer or sound box arranged for a path of travel adjacent the line of pivots and parallel thereto and having a stylus adapted to separately engage the rods in its travel, said rods each having an extension at its end remote from the record engaging end, and a part provided with the designations of the records and having openings opposite the extension of the rods through which the latter extend, and means for limiting the movement of each rod within the openin 58. In a sound reproducing machine, the combination with a series of sound records, separate means for engaging the record groove of each, a support, a separate part, including an arm, pivoted on the support, each to carry one of said means, the several parts being disposed whereby their pivots are in substantially a vertical line, their axes of movement being perpendicular to the planes of the records, a reproducer mounted to have a vertical path of travel 7 and free to descend by the force of gravity, 

